Improvement in flour-bolts



E. V. EASLEY.

Flour-Bolts.

Patented May 5, 1874.

r m v m UNITED STATES ELBRIDGE V. EASLEY, OF JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FLOUR-BOLTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159.547, dated May 5, 1874. application filed March 26,1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELBRIDGE V. EASLEY, of Johnson City, in the county of Washington and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flour-Bolt, of which the following is a specification:

This invention has for its object to produce a flour-bolt of the character represented in a patent granted to me on the 25th day of July, 1871, No. 117,395, wherein more effectual provision is made for expanding the bolting-cloth, the construction of the bolt being also simplified, and its operation rendered more'perfeet.

The invention consists in the arrangement, within a tubular reel-shaft, of a longitudinallysliding rod, which carries a series of fixed conical wedges for forcing the arms of the bolt in an outward direction, for imparting a corresponding adjustment to the ribs of the bolt, in order to increase or decrease the tension of the cloth fixed rest-plates being also applied to the rod carrying the wedges for holding the same firmly in its place. The invention further consists in the provision of spiral springs which encircle the adjustable arms of the reel between the shaft and guide-brackets, the function of the same being to contract the reel or to draw the reel-arms toward the center of the shaft when the pressure of the conical wedges is decreased or removed from the reel-arms. The invention further consists in applying to the reel-shafts, at the point where the arms enter the same, flexible or elastic collars or bands, which may be provided with short tubes encircling the reel-arms, in order to prevent the entrance of flour into the tubular reel-shaft. The invention further consists in attaching to the ends of the ribs'composing the shell of the reel hookedplates, the ends of which fit into grooves in the head-bars of the reels, so that the ribs may be moved in an outward and inward direction.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of my improved flour-bolt. Fig. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the shell or skeleton-frame of the reel. Fig. 3 represents the jointed rods for securing the bolting-cloth at the head and tail of the reel.

. Fig. 4. is a transverse section through the head of the reel.

The shell or frame of the reel is composed of a central tubular shaft, A, from which radiate, in an outward direction, a series of arms, B, the outer ends of which are attached to the longitudinal ribs 0, connected at their tail ends with the bars D, and at their opposite ends to the head-board E. The tubular shaft A, which is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings, contains or incloses a longitudinal rod, F, which carries a series. of fixed conical wedges, G, and rest-plates H at the smaller ends of the latter. The wedges correspond in number with the sets of arms employed for supporting and adjusting the ribs, and the movement of the rod in a longitudinal direction for operating said wedges is effected through the medium of a nut, I, which is applied to the screw-threaded end of the rod in juxtaposition to the journal or gudgeon of the reel-shaft or other abutting surface, so that by turning the nut the rod may be moved in the manner stated. At the point where the arms enter the reel-shaft there are arranged elastic or flexible collars or bands K, of indiarubber, leather, or other suitable material. The elasticity of the bands may be 'suflieient to prevent the entrance of flour into the reelshaft; but in .order to provide more effectual means for this purpose the bands are provided with short tubes, which encircle or surround the reel-arms to such .an extent as may be deemed necessary. The reel-arms pass through an gleplates or brackets L, secured to the reelshaft, so as to guide and govern the movement of the arms, and between said brackets and the reel-shaft are arranged spiral springs M, which encircle the arms of the reel. The object of said springs is to draw the reel-arms to the'center of the shaft whenever the pressure of the conical wedges is removed from the arms, and thus automatic means are provided for contracting or decreasing the diameter of the shell of the reel, in order to loosen the bolting-cloth. N are a series of flour-boards, arranged longitudinally within the reel at the head of the same, in the manner and for the object stated in my former patent. The flourboards are rigidly secured at one end to the head-board E, and at the opposite end to a polygonal-shaped frame or board, N, having a central opening for the passage of the reelshaft. The use of the flourboards is to present the flour from falling too heavily against the bolting cloth, which would give it a tendency to speck; and as they revolve with the reel, owing to their relative positions, they draw and force the air outwardly, creating. a gentle current against the bolting cloth. The longitudinal swaying of the reel is prevented by means of braces or rods 0, which are arranged around the reel-shaft, and attached at their ends to collars a I), encircling the latter at the head and tail. The braces pass over a rest or raised plate, P, at'or' near the center of the reel-shaft, and the ends of the same are screwthreaded, and provided with nuts, so as to furnish means for increasing or decreasing the tension of the brace or truss rods, for always maintaining or preserving the proper stability of the reel. The ribs comprising the shell of the reel are provided with openings or slots 0, and with front edges dressed to an edge, so as to enable the flour to pass readily through said slots, in order to avoid the clogging or accumulation of flour at the junction of the ribs with the bolting-cloth, and to enable the flour to roll continuouslyaround the boltingcloth. To the tail ends of the ribs are secured laterally-projectin g plates Q, the free ends of which are provided with hooks Qfchat fit into grooves It, formed in the ends of the bars D. Gap-plates S are also'applied to the ends of the ribs to receive and cover the ends of the tail-boards, in such a manner that the movement of the ribs is rendered possible without the liability of disconnecting the same from ,the tail-boards. The bolting-cloth issecured at the head and tail of the reel by means of jointed or hinged rods T, which are passed through the gathered or looped edges of the cloth, and are of such a form and size as to correspond with the end of the reel.

Said rods rest or bear against the outer edge of the tail-boards, so as to prevent the cloth from moving longitudinally, and in order to permit the cloth to be readily applied and removed the rods are provided with hooks and eyes for detachably connecting the same.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.-

1. In an expansible bolting-reel having a tubular shaft and movable ribs and arms, the longitudinally-adjustable rod arranged within the shaft, and carrying fixed conical wedges and rest-plates at the smaller ends thereof, substantially as herein described.

2. In combination with the movable arms of an expansible bolting-reel, the spiral springs M, eneirclin g said arms, for drawing the same toward the center of the shaft, substantially as herein described.

3. The elastic or flexible collars or bands K, in combination with the tubular reel-shaft and movable arms, substantially as herein described.

4. In an expansiblebolting-reel, the adjustable ribs provided with lateral hooked plates Q Q, operating in grooves It, formed in the end or tail boards of the reel, substantially as herein described.

4 In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of February, 1874.

ELBRIDGE V. EASLEY.

Witnesses O. R. CHILnREss,

H. O. BURROUGHS. 

